“That can’t possibly be true.”
“I cleared my afternoon when I heard you were coming home.”
“Nick… You can’t do that.”
“I already did.”
“You’re giving them another reason to attack you by going silent right when this shit storm is hitting.”
“I was hoping you might be able to make a statement in response to the stuff Hector Reese is saying.”
“The chief has forbidden me to speak to the media or any member of my team for the next two weeks, but they’re issuing a statement that I contributed to.”
“So you’re supposed to allow your reputation to be trashed without a single word from you?That’s bullshit, babe.He needs to let you defend yourself.”
“They’re consulting with the lawyers because Reese’s media tour also came with a lawsuit against me, Malone and the department.We’ll see what they say after they’ve heard back from the department counsel.”
“He can’t prohibit you from speaking as first lady.”
“That’s a fine line, and we both know it.”
“We have to do something.”
“Back when you were first president, I stopped by Avery and Shelby’s so I could ask her to be the social secretary in person.While I was there, Avery took me aside to tell me the Reese incident had come up during their investigation of the department.”
“What did he say about it?”
“Just that it’d been mentioned.I asked if he thought it would turn into a big deal, and he said he didn’t know yet but would warn me if he could.I’m not sure if he knew this was coming or not, but I wish I’d paid more attention to it at the time.Maybe I could’ve figured out where that was coming from and found a way to put a lid on it before it exploded.”
“We were a little busy then.Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“I was unprepared for what feels like a coordinated attack coming from inside my own house, assuming that’s what this is and not Hector Reese finally getting around to filing a lawsuit.”In light of current events, she believed it was far more likely an in-house hit job.
“Of course you were unprepared.You go there every day, work your ass off, try to do the right thing and have to deal with this bullshit because of a bunch of fucking jealous man babies.”
“It’s very sexy when you say things like ‘fucking jealous man babies.’”
“I’m being serious.”
“I know you are.That’s why it’s sexy.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously in love with you.”She rested her head on his chest and took a few more minutes to soak up his special brand of comfort.“I told the chief I have the Christopher Nelson trial to prep for, which he said I could do, but that’s another reminder of the many times people have come for us, trying to ruin us because they want what we have, or they’re jealous or insecure or fucked-up and want someone to blame.We’re so lucky to have everything we do, as well as the best security in the world, but on days like this, the downside is a lot.”
“I’m sorry for my role in putting us where we are.”
“You mean for putting us in the White House?”
Smiling, he said, “Yeah, that.”
Hearing Scotty talking to his agents down the hall had them pulling apart to greet their son.
“Whoa,” Scotty said, surprised to find them in the kitchen.“You’re both here.What’s wrong?”
“Nothing to worry about,” Sam said.“A little dustup at work.We’re handling it.”
He eyed her warily.“Did you get in trouble?”
